Abbiegail Smith: Birthday party celebrates life of Keansburg murder victim

The Keansburg community gathers under a shower of tears to remember 11-year-old AbbieGail 'Abbie' Smith who was slain by a neighbor in her apartment complex.
THOMAS P. COSTELLO

Carol Bennett thanks community, family and friends for attending birthday party in memory of her daughter, Abbiegail Smith, at John Donohue Park on Carr Avenue in Keansburg.(Photo: NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT)

KEANSBURG - Last year, when she turned 11, Abbiegail Smith would have blown out her own birthday candles.

This year, months after her murder that rocked Keansburg and surrounding towns, two friends and Abbiegail's mother stood shoulder-to-shoulder Wednesday evening. Together, the trio summoned breath and blew out the candles on a cake prepared for Abbiegail's 12th birthday.

Iman, Carol Bennett and Bridget blow out candles on a birthday cake for Abbiegail Smith, the 11-year-old who was murdered this summer in Keansburg.(Photo: NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT)

"Waking up today and realizing it was her birthday wasn't easy for me," said Carol Bennett, Abbiegail's mother, speaking to a crowd of more than 50 people who had gathered at John J. Donohue III Park.

The birthday party for Abbiegail — also known as "Abbie" — was an event festooned in shades of pink and purple.

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Abbiegail Smith, the 11-year-old who was murdered this summer in Keansburg, would have had celebrated her 12th birthday. Local community residents gathered for a birthday party in her memory at John Donohue Park on Carr Avenue in Keansburg. NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT

Abbiegail Smith, the 11-year-old who was murdered this summer in Keansburg, would have had celebrated her 12th birthday. Local community residents gathered for a birthday party in her memory at John Donohue Park on Carr Avenue in Keansburg. NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT

Abbiegail Smith, the 11-year-old who was murdered this summer in Keansburg, would have had celebrated her 12th birthday. Local community residents gathered for a birthday party in her memory at John Donohue Park on Carr Avenue in Keansburg. NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT

Carol Bennett thanks community, family and friends for attending birthday party in memory of her daughter, Abbiegail Smith, at John Donohue Park on Carr Avenue in Keansburg. NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT

Abbiegail Smith, the 11-year-old who was murdered this summer in Keansburg, would have had celebrated her 12th birthday. Local community residents gathered for a birthday party in her memory at John Donohue Park on Carr Avenue in Keansburg. NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT

Abbiegail Smith, the 11-year-old who was murdered this summer in Keansburg, would have had celebrated her 12th birthday. Local community residents gathered for a birthday party in her memory at John Donohue Park on Carr Avenue in Keansburg. NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT

Abbiegail Smith, the 11-year-old who was murdered this summer in Keansburg, would have had celebrated her 12th birthday. Local community residents gathered for a birthday party in her memory at John Donohue Park on Carr Avenue in Keansburg. NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT

Abbiegail Smith, the 11-year-old who was murdered this summer in Keansburg, would have had celebrated her 12th birthday. Local community residents gathered for a birthday party in her memory at John Donohue Park on Carr Avenue in Keansburg. NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT

Carol Bennett, mother of Abbiegail Smith, receives a hug from Lanesha Adams during a birthday party in her memory of Abigail at John Donohue Park on Carr Avenue in Keansburg. NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT

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Cupcakes with lavender-colored frosting, cakes decorated in various colors, pink and purple stuffed animals and six framed photos of Abbie were carefully placed atop a folding table draped with a plastic purple tablecloth. Bunches of balloons in pink, purple and white bobbed in the air.

"The last few months – they have not been easy," Bennett said. "But I'm trying my best."

Carol Bennett, mother of Abbiegail Smith, receives a hug from Lanesha Adams during a birthday party in her memory of Abigail at John Donohue Park on Carr Avenue in Keansburg.(Photo: NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT)

On the ground around the table, a woman carefully propped up a few of the several stuffed animals that well wishers had placed against the park's chain-link fence in the time since authorities announced Abbie's murder. A light layer of dried brown leaves lay over the stuffed animals, like a blanket.

Abbie, an 11-year-old girl who had recently finished the 5th grade at Joseph R. Bolger Middle School in Keansburg, was found dead July 12. Investigators recovered the child's body on the roof of a residential building that was part of the Hancock Arms apartment complex, where Abbie and her family lived.

Abbiegail Smith, the 11-year-old who was murdered this summer in Keansburg, would have had celebrated her 12th birthday. Local community residents gathered for a birthday party in her memory at John Donohue Park on Carr Avenue in Keansburg.(Photo: NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT)

"I just know she's in peace," said Briana Oftedal, a friend of Abbie's who attended the birthday party Wednesday and a community vigil honoring Abbie's life in July.

Oftedal said she was doing "a little better" in processing Abbie's death. But the first day of school this year was a jarring reminder of the loss of her friend, who had also been a classmate.

"The start of school — it was really hard for most of us," Oftedal said.

Many parents also remain in shock over Abbie's death, said Abigail, a mother of two who declined to provide her last name.

"It's not easy when you lose a child," Bennett said. "And until someone is in my situation, they (won't) know exactly what I'm going through."

Officials said Abbie was raped and killed as the result of a stab wound to the neck.

When the neighbor, Erazo, was arrested — one day after investigators found Abbie's body bound in computer cord and wrapped in a sheet — Erazo told authorities he stabbed the girl, said Diane Aifer, an assistant prosecutor at the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

Abbiegail Smith, the 11-year-old who was murdered this summer in Keansburg, would have had celebrated her 12th birthday. Local community residents gathered for a birthday party in her memory at John Donohue Park on Carr Avenue in Keansburg.(Photo: NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT)

Erazo's lawyers, who work for the county public defender's office, said earlier this summer their client was unaware of the legal implications when he spoke of the girl's death, and did not consider what Erazo said to the police to be a confession.

The lawyers also indicated their intentions to challenge the legality and admissibility of the conclusions from Erazo's police interrogation, which lasted nine hours.

This week, an assistant public defender pleaded not guilty on Erazo's behalf.

Erazo was charged in a seven-count indictment with murder, felony murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and three counts of aggravated sexual assault.

Prosecutors are angling for Erazo to receive a life sentence without the possibility of parole, if he is convicted. Prosecutors also said Erazo would not be offered a plea deal.

People who gathered to remember and honor Abbie's birthday Wednesday made no mention of anything other than her personality, which the Rev. Dan Cahill, a priest at St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church in Keansburg, called "cheerful and joyful."

Abbiegail Smith, the 11-year-old who was murdered this summer in Keansburg, would have had celebrated her 12th birthday. Local community residents gathered for a birthday party in her memory at John Donohue Park on Carr Avenue in Keansburg.(Photo: NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT)

As the celebration began, Cahill led the crowd in prayer. Afterward, he blessed the cakes on the table.

At some point, George Huff, the mayor of Keansburg, slipped into the park. Huff was soon beckoned to make his way to the front of the crowd to speak.

Candles are lit on birthday cake for Abbiegail Smith, the 11-year-old who was murdered this summer in Keansburg.(Photo: NOAH K. MURRAY/CORRESPONDENT)

"We are Keansburg. We are strong. We stand by each other," Huff said. "We're here for the Smith family. We're here for you. And we remember Abbie on this day, her 12th birthday."

Sections of the memorial to 11-year-old AbbieGail Smith along Hancock Street in Keansburg on July 23 are shown as people turned out a short distance away to pay respects to the girl and her family.
Thomas P. Costello/Staff photographer Sections of the memorial to 11-year-old AbbieGail Smith along Hancock Street in Keansburg Sunday, Jul 23, 2017, are shown as people turn out a short distance away to pay respects to the girl and her family. Thomas P. Costello, Thomas P. Costello

A family member wears a memorial shirt to Abbiegail Smith during the detention hearing for Andreas Erazo, 18, of Keansburg, at the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. Erazo is accused of killing his 11-year-old neighbor. Thomas P. Costello

Sections of the memorial to 11-year-old AbbieGail Smith along Hancock Street in Keansburg Sunday, Jul 23, 2017, are shown as people turn out a short distance away to pay respects to the girl and her family. Thomas P. Costello, Thomas P. Costello

Andreas Erazo, 18, of Keansburg, arrives for a detention hearing before Superior Court Judge Richard W. English at the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. He is accused of killing his 11-year-old neighbor, AbbieGail Smith. Thomas P. Costello

AbbieGail Smith’s mother gestures as she leaves the detention hearing for Andreas Erazo, 18, of Keansburg, before Superior Court Judge Richard W. English at the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. Thomas P. Costello

Andreas Erazo, 18, keeps his eyes forward as Diane Aifer, an assistant Monmouth County prosecutor, speaks about details in the case against him during a detention hearing before Superior Court Judge Richard W. English at the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. He is accused of killing his 11-year-old neighbor, Abbiegail Smith. Thomas P. Costello

Andreas Erazo, 18, of Keansburg, is shown during a detention hearing before Superior Court Judge Richard W. English at the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. He is accused of killing his 11-year-old neighbor, Abbiegail Smith. Thomas P. Costello

Abbiegail Smith’s mother is shown with other family members during the detention hearing for Andreas Erazo at the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. He is accused of killing her 11-year-old daughter. Thomas P. Costello

Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Diane Aifer describes the scene of Abbiegail Smith’s murder during a detention hearding for Andreas Erazo at the Monmouth County Courthouse in Freehold, Wednesday, July 26, 2017. Thomas P. Costello

Sections of the memorial to 11-year-old AbbieGail Smith along Hancock Street in Keansburg Sunday, Jul 23, 2017, are shown as people turn out a short distance away to pay respects to the girl and her family. Thomas P. Costello

Sections of the memorial to 11-year-old AbbieGail Smith along Hancock Street in Keansburg Sunday, Jul 23, 2017, are shown as people turn out a short distance away to pay respects to the girl and her family. Thomas P. Costello

Sections of the memorial to 11-year-old AbbieGail Smith along Hancock Street in Keansburg Sunday, Jul 23, 2017, are shown as people turn out a short distance away to pay respects to the girl and her family. Thomas P. Costello

Sections of the memorial to 11-year-old AbbieGail Smith along Hancock Street in Keansburg Sunday, Jul 23, 2017, are shown as people turn out a short distance away to pay respects to the girl and her family. Thomas P. Costello

Sections of the memorial to 11-year-old AbbieGail Smith along Hancock Street in Keansburg Sunday, Jul 23, 2017, are shown as people turn out a short distance away to pay respects to the girl and her family. Thomas P. Costello

Sections of the memorial to 11-year-old AbbieGail Smith along Hancock Street in Keansburg Sunday, Jul 23, 2017, are shown as people turn out a short distance away to pay respects to the girl and her family. Thomas P. Costello

Sections of the memorial to 11-year-old AbbieGail Smith along Hancock Street in Keansburg Sunday, Jul 23, 2017, are shown as people turn out a short distance away to pay respects to the girl and her family. Thomas P. Costello

Sections of the memorial to 11-year-old AbbieGail Smith along Hancock Street in Keansburg Sunday, Jul 23, 2017, are shown as people turn out a short distance away to pay respects to the girl and her family. Thomas P. Costello

Sections of the memorial to 11-year-old AbbieGail Smith along Hancock Street in Keansburg Sunday, Jul 23, 2017, are shown as people turn out a short distance away to pay respects to the girl and her family. Thomas P. Costello

Sections of the memorial to 11-year-old AbbieGail Smith along Hancock Street in Keansburg Sunday, Jul 23, 2017, are shown as people turn out a short distance away to pay respects to the girl and her family. Thomas P. Costello

Members of the Muhammad Mosque #85 cames to show their support at the Jacqueline M. Ryan funeral home on Carr Avenue during a wake for 11-year-old AbbieGail Smith in Keansburg Sunday, Jul 23, 2017. Thomas P. Costello

Linne Muhammad of the Muhammad Mosque #85 in Somerset was among those who came to show their support at the Jacqueline M. Ryan funeral home on Carr Avenue during a wake for 11-year-old AbbieGail Smith in Keansburg Sunday, Jul 23, 2017. Thomas P. Costello

Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni speaks to the media outside the Hancock Arms Apartments complex in Keansburg Thursday, July 13, 2017, where the remains of 11-year-old AbbieGail ‘Abbie’ Smith were found this morning. Thomas P. Costello

Monmouth County investigators are shown behind the Hancock Arms Apartments complex in Keansburg Thursday, July 13, 2017, where the body of 11-year-old AbbieGail ‘Abbie’ Smith were found this morning. Thomas P. Costello

Two candles are shown on the sidewalk near the Hancock Arms Apartments complex in Keansburg Thursday, July 13, 2017, where the remains of 11-year-old AbbieGail ‘Abbie’ Smith were found this morning behind. Thomas P. Costello

Monmouth County investigators are shown behind the Hancock Arms Apartments complex in Keansburg Thursday, July 13, 2017, where the body of 11-year-old AbbieGail ‘Abbie’ Smith were found this morning. Thomas P. Costello

Monmouth County investigators are shown behind the Hancock Arms Apartments complex in Keansburg Thursday, July 13, 2017, where the body of 11-year-old AbbieGail ‘Abbie’ Smith were found this morning. Thomas P. Costello

Monmouth County investigators are shown behind the Hancock Arms Apartments complex in Keansburg Thursday, July 13, 2017, where the body of 11-year-old AbbieGail ‘Abbie’ Smith were found this morning. Thomas P. Costello

Monmouth County investigators are shown behind the Hancock Arms Apartments complex in Keansburg Thursday, July 13, 2017, where the body of 11-year-old AbbieGail ‘Abbie’ Smith were found this morning. Thomas P. Costello

Matthew Reid lives right behind the Hancock Arms Apartments complex in Keansburg where the body of 11-year-old AbbieGail ‘Abbie’ Smith Thursday, July 13, 2017. He said he did not hear any activity in his yard the previous evening. Thomas P. Costello

Annie Santiago, Keansburg, speaks about the town and her children Thursday, July 13, 2017, near the Hancock Arms Apartments complex in Keansburg where the body of 11-year-old AbbieGail ‘Abbie’ Smith was found earlier in the day. Thomas P. Costello

Monmouth County investigators are shown behind the Hancock Arms Apartments complex in Keansburg Thursday, July 13, 2017, where the body of 11-year-old AbbieGail ‘Abbie’ Smith were found this morning. Thomas P. Costello

Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni speaks to the media outside the Hancock Arms Apartments complex in Keansburg Thursday, July 13, 2017, where the remains of 11-year-old AbbieGail ‘Abbie’ Smith were found this morning. Thomas P. Costello

Monmouth County investigators are shown at the Hancock Arms Apartments complex in Keansburg Friday, July 14, 2017, near where the remains of 11-year-old AbbieGail ‘Abbie’ Smith were found Thursday. Thomas P. Costello

Brooklynn Rinck, 11, gets a hug from her mother Lorene Walters as she speaks about her friend AbbieGail "Abbie" Smith, 11, during a vigil held Friday night, July 14, 2017. Smith was killed by a neighbor in her Keansburg apartment complex. Thomas P. Costello